Veteran prop Jason Leonard will win his 100th England cap against France in Saturday's Six Nations opener at Twickenham.

The 34-year-old's landmark Test will be in his usual position of loosehead, with Bristol's Julian White named at tighthead.

Leonard will become only the third member of an exclusive club, joining fellow centurions Frenchman Philippe Sella (111 caps) and Australian David Campese (101).

"To me it'll be just another game," he insisted. "I want to play in every game for England up to and including the World Cup."

White has won his fitness battle

With regular tighthead Phil Vickery sidelined through back trouble, White will take the number three jersey after passing a fitness test on his injured knee.

Elsewhere, Woodward has sprung a surprise by naming Sale stand-off Charlie Hodgson at centre, with Mike Tindall dropped from the 22 altogether.

"Although Charlie plays fly-half for Sharks I believe that he will perform well in his new position," Woodward said.

Woodward said Tindall was not considered having not played much rugby in the last few weeks. He also missed England training last week due to injury.

Hodgson missed England's autumn programme because of injury, and last started a Test in Argentina last summer.

The other change from the side that started November's win over South Africa sees fit-again Dan Luger recalled on the wing.

Dallaglio misses out

Luger returns to the starting line-up almost 10 months after he last featured in the final game of England's 2002 Six Nations campaign.

Phil Christophers drops to the bench, where he is joined by James Simpson-Daniel, who missed the Springboks game through glandular fever.

The replacements also include former captain Lawrence Dallaglio, who has again failed to break up the current back row trio of Lewis Moody, Neil Back and Richard Hill.

The other change on the bench sees a recall for Leicester prop Graham Rowntree.

Saturday will be Leonard's 15th appearance against France. He has been on the winning side nine times before.

His remarkable Test career - which also includes five Lions caps on three tours - began in Argentina in the summer of 1990.

He will also set another record against France, overtaking Rory Underwood's 50-game feat of most Five/Six Nations Championship appearances by an England player.

Woodward added: "He has achieved this landmark on merit, and has made a significant contribution to this squad."

A thigh problem prevented Ben Cohen from training with the squad on Monday, but his absence was precautionary.

England team to play France:

J Robinson (Sale Sharks); D Luger (Harlequins), W Greenwood (Harlequins), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), B Cohen (Northampton); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), M Dawson (Northampton); J Leonard (Harlequins), S Thompson (Northampton), J White (Bristol Shoguns), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), B Kay (Leicester), L Moody (Leicester), N Back (Leicester), R Hill (Saracens).
Replacements: M Regan (Leeds), G Rowntree (Leicester), D Grewcock (Bath), L Dallaglio (Wasps), A Gomarsall (Gloucester), P Christophers (Bristol Shoguns), J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester).